thrashing

noun

thrash·​ing ˈthra-shiŋ 

plural thrashings

1

: a severe beating or flogging

If a poacher was taken he was given a thrashing as well as being prosecuted with its consequent jail sentence.

—W. Mostyn Thomas

"They called her a little blue ragamuffin, father," said Harry, who ran in looking very angry. "But I have given it to them. They won't insult my sister again. I have given them a thrashing they will remember."

—Anna Sewell

2

: a dominating defeat of an opponent

… after going 6-5 on a tough road trip that concluded with 9-2 and 12-4 thrashings of the Giants last weekend, they were 57-41 …

—Phil Taylor

Examples of thrashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Law, just six months into a three-year contract, was fired after U.S. suffered a 10-wicket thrashing by Scotland in a one-day international qualifier for the 2027 World Cup. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

The Hawks looked to bounce back from a 6-3 thrashing by the Vancouver Canucks three nights earlier and looked well on their way. —Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2024

Inside, lambs were hoisted upside down, kicking and thrashing. —Jose Huizar, The Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2024

Steer clear of becoming caught in the thrashing of speculative bubbles. —Jim Osman, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1